Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Mitchell Moroz was selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the second round (30th overall) of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He appeared in seven games for the Oil Kings and skated for the Edge School high school program in Calgary. He had 1 assist and was minus-two with 2 penalty minutes in WHL action with Edmonton. in 43 games for the Edge School he scored 20 goals with 23 assists and was plus-33 with 80 penalty minutes. Edge defeated Pursuit of Excellence in the Canadian Secondary School Championship and reached the final game of the Midwest Prep Hockey League tournament, falling to St. Andrew’s College.

2010-11: Moroz appeared in one game for the Oil Kings and spent the bulk of the season with the Calgary Northstars midget AAA team. Moroz’ only appearance with Edmonton came in a February game against Lethbridge. In 22 games with Calgary he scored 10 goals with 4 assists and had 34 penalty minutes. He was scoreless with no penalties in two playoff games.

2011-12: Moroz provided timely offense while leading all Oil Kings forwards in penalty minutes in his first WHL season. In a lower line role for league-leading Edmonton, Moroz scored 16 goals with 9 assists and was plus-five with 131 penalty minutes. He scored 4 goals with 4 assists and was plus-two with 24 penalty minutes in 20 playoff games as the Oil Kings captured the playoff title. In Memorial Cup play, he had no points with 5 penalty minutes as Edmonton split its first two games. Moroz was invited to the NHL Draft Combine and was ranked 72nd amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings (up from 171st in the mid-season ratings in January) and was selected by Edmonton in the second round (32nd overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft.

2012-13: Moroz returned to Edmonton for his second junior season with the WHL’s Oil Kings. Playing a two-way, physical game in a third line role for one of the league’s top teams, he scored 13 goals with 21 assists and was +21 in 69 games. Moroz was second behind defenseman Keegan Lowe (Carolina) with 140 penalty minutes. Edmonton finished first in the Central Division and lost to Portland in the WHL Finals. Moroz scored 2 goals with 5 assists and was +2 with 41 penalty minutes in 22 playoff games.

2013-14: Moroz skated for the Memorial Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings in his third junior season. The team’s third-leading scorer during the regular season, he had 35 goals with 28 assists and was +25 with a team-leading 156 penalty minutes in 70 games. The Oil Kings and Calgary tied for the Central Division lead with 103 points; with the Hitmen finishing first based on more wins. Edmonton captured the WHL playoff championship, defeating Portland in the finals. Moroz scored 6 goals with 13 assists and was an even plus/minus with 40 penalty minutes in 21 WHL playoff games. He scored 2 goals with 2 assists and was +1with 2 penalty minutes in the Memorial Cup as Edmonton defeated Val-d’Or and then Guelph to capture the title. Moroz signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Oilers in December 2013.

Talent Analysis

Moroz is a quintessential power forward with a great deal of energy and can be a terror in the offensive zone in a physical manner. That effort does not always translate to offense. He needs to work on his skating a bit, although it is by no means a liability. At this stage, he projects to be an energy player with some potential to be more than just a banger but he will need some time to develop.

Future

Moroz attended training camp with the Oilers before being assigned to AHL affiliate Oklahoma City at the start of the 2014-15 season. In his first season of pro hockey, he has played mostly in an enforcer and energy role with the Barons — leading the team in penalty minutes. Long-term, his skill set suggests he can be a power forward with some offensive elements to his game to complement the many scoring forwards already in Edmonton.